Cutter chain



W. NOBLE CUTTER CHAiN Julie 21, 1938.

Filed Nov. 27, 1934' 2 Sheets- Sheet 1 June 21, 1938.

-W,NOBLEQ 2,121,044 1 CUTTER CHAIN Filed Nov. 27, 1934' 2 Sheets-Sheet 2V 'I 5 n Patented June 21. 1938 PATENT OFFICE CUTTER CHAIN WarrenNoble,Michigan City, Indgassignor to Sullivan Machinery Company, a corporationof Massachusetts. 7 Application November 27 1934, Serial No. 755,013

a 22 "Claims. (or. 2262-933X 1 'I'hisinvention relates to cutter'chains,and. more particularly to improvements in a cutter chain especiallydesigned. to use with a cutter bar of a coal mining machine.

An objecto-f thisinventio-n isqto provide an improved mining machinecutter chain. -Another. object is toprovide an improved cutter chainhaving improved cutter bit positioning and holding means. Yet anotherobject is to provide an improved cutter bit Wherebmdue to its particulardesign, relatively long life is-insured, the a bit being of such shapeas to possess-betterheat distribution: qualities. A still further objectis .to provide an improved mounting means for'a' 1 5 cuttenbit of theabovercharacter whereby the bit may be supported indifferent"angularly-related positions withrespect to the bit block. Yetanother object is to provide improvedreversiblebit block structurewith'w'hichthe improved bit holding and adjusting. means is associated,whereby, by turning the holding and adjusting meansend for endWithrespectto the'bit block, the cutter chain may operate in, eitherdirection. These and other'objectsliand advantages of the improvedcutter chainwill, however, hereinafter more fully appear as thedescriptionproceedsnfl In the accompanying drawings there are shown forpurposes of illustration two forms which the invention may assume inpractice. a In these drawings,: c Fig. 1- is a side elevational view ofone illustrative form'of the improved cutterchainstr'uc- Fig. 2 is anend elevational viewof thecutter chain structure shown in Fig. 1. 1 lFig. 3 is a view in. longitudinal section taken substantially on line3-3 of Fig.2.. Fig. 4 is a cross'sectionalview taken on line 14 -4 ofFig. 1. g

5 is a perspective viewfof the: bit clamp element. f Fig. 6 is aperspective viewof the-bit positioning and supporting element. 4 Fig. 7is a perspectiveviewof the] improved cutterbit, f 45 i Fig. 8 is a viewsimilar to Fig. l'showing a modified form of constructioni 1 Fig. 9 isan endelevational View uns cutter chain structure'shown in Fig. f Fig. 1is a view in "longitudinal section'taken substantially on linefl0-l0of-Fig. 9. f it Fig. 11 is a detail sectional View taken 'njnne of Fig.8. I Figs. 12 and 13 are side and end'elevationalviews respectively, ofthe bit. positioning and supporting element.

sides of a'right-angled dihedral angletoprovide Figs. 14 and 15 are sideand end elevational viewsrespectively, of the bit clamping element. fInthe illustrative embodiment of the inventiondisclosed in Figs. 1 to 7,inclusive there is shown a bit block La series of which are adapted tobe pivotally connected together in end to end relation by suitable straplinks orotherwise to form an endless cutter chain ma wellkno-wn manner.Formed integralwiththe bit block I is a projecting boss or'lug 2 havinga longitudinal bore 3- formed with its: interior periphery ser ratedatAMounted in this bore 3 is the cylindrical shank Sof a bit positioningand supporting element 6, the exterior periphery of the shank E beingformed with longitudinal teeth engageable with the serrations formed inthe wallsoi'thebore 3 for-locking the shankagainst angular displacementwithinthe lug bore. As illustrated, the shank isaxially bored at 1 to'receivefthebolt-like body portion 8 of a bit clamping element 9; Therear end of this bolt portion is threadedfat ID to receive a tighteningnut llengageable with the rear-surface of the.

lug 2. The bolt portion 8 is preferably'annularly grooved at l.2- toreceive a snap ring l3 for preventing inadvertent release of the nut Hfrom the'bolth v v The improved cutterbit I4, as shown in Figs. 3 and-7, is of the so-called detachable type and preferablyin the form of astamping pressed to the desired shape and hardened to attain relativelygreat wearing qualities, and is,-ln this instanca'preferably ofV'-shaped cross section ha'v-' ing its end cutting faces l5 lying in theplane .cuttingportionsat the opposite bit ends. The

end portions [6 of the bit are inwardly bentyas shown in Fig. '3, toobtain relatively great strength at the cutting point. It will. thus beseen that the cutter bit is reversible so that when one'cuttingpointbecomes dull, the bit maybe turned end for end relative to its holdingmeans, thereby to present afresh cutting point to the Work. The bit isof a relatively inexpensive defsi'gn ,.and when 'bothcutting pointsbecome dull, it may be discarded and replaced by a new'bit. The bitpositioning and supporting element 6 is provided with"apo=rtion l1'projecting'iorwardly'and outwardly from its shank 5 and of taperingshape to provide ample support for the rearward portion of the bit bodyand formed 50 in its front face with an inclined ortapering *socket l 8of V-sh'ape, within which the outer contour of the bitbody is'adapted tofitj Formed on the clamping-elementt is a forward and outthe serratedbore.

projection l9 engaging the intermediate portion of the forward surfaceof the bit body and cooperating with the portion I! of the supportingelement to form an interfitting clamp in which the bit is firmly held.The elements I! and I9 of the bit holding and supporting means are ofsuch shape as to provide ample clearance for the cutting portion of thebit. These elements, in certain instances, may be composed of cop-per ormetals having similar heat conducting character istics for preventingconcentration of heat at the cutting point of the bit, resulting inlonger bit life. By the provision of the serrations within thelongitudinal bore 3 and the teeth out on the shank of the element 6, itis possible to adjustthe bit supporting structure into differentangularly related positions with'respect to the-bit block,

tion'but a single bit block pattern is needed to provide for allnecessary bit positions. It will be evident, moreover, that the cutterbit may be firmly held in position on the bit block,

In the modified'form of constructionshown in Figs. 8 to 15, inclusive,there is shown a bit block 23-having longitudinally spaced lugs Hand 22having alined bores '23 and 24 respectively, these bores having theirinner peripheries serrated at 25. Arranged in the space between thesetwo projecting lugs is a bit'supporting and position! ing element 26having a forwardly projecting shank 21 extending within the bore 24inthe lug 22' and having external teeth 28 engageable with the boreserrations for locking the shank 21 against angular movement withinthefbit block lug. Engageable with the forward'surface of the rear lug2| is an adjusting nut-29 having a circular projection 30 projectingwithin the lugged'bore 23 and having a smooth exterior surface of adiameter just permitting it to pass into Threadedly engaging -the nut 29is a bolt portion 3| of a bit clamping element 32. 7 As shown in Fig.11, the member 26 has-lateral projections 33, 33 engaging ledges 34 34formed onthe member 32 for preventing angular outward tilting movementof the member 32 with respect to the member 26 and bitblocklug. Clampedbetween the members 26- and 32 is a cutter bit ,35 of the same generaldesign-as that shown in Fig. '7, although in'this particular instance ofsomewhat greater length. 'The mem ber 32 has a bit supportingportion 3'!tapering forwardly and outwardly and having a V-shaped recess 38 in itsforward face shaped to fit the outer contour of the bit block, while therearward inclined portion of the member 26is-of y-shape to fit the innercontour of the bit body, andthese elements 26 and 32 cooperate to'forman interfitting clamp within which the bit bod'yisfirmly gripped. As inthe form of the invention above described, the projecting. elements ofthe bit holding and clamping elements may be composed of. copper orsimilar metal to attain better heat distribution qualities.

The cutter bit may be supported in different angularly relatedpositionswith respect to thebit blocksimply'by rotating the nut 29 to move itback (to the right in Fig. along the bolt portion 3 i removing theelement 32 and bit from the bit block, withdrawing the toothed shankfrom engagement with the serrated bore 24 of the front lug and turning.the element 26 into-a difierentangularly related position with respect,

shaped to fit the inner contour of the bit, the l to the bit block. Thetoothed shank of the element 26 is then again inserted within theserrated bore 24, the bit placed in position between the assembledelements 26 and 32, as shown in Fig. 10, and the nut 23 thereafterrotated to bring the cylindrical projection 30 thereof Within the rearlug bore 23 and to clamp the parts firmly together. It will thus be seenthat the cutter bit may be firmly held in position on the bit block andmay be adjusted, as in the form of the invention above described,intodifierent angularly related positions with respect to the bit blockto obtain lacing of the bits.

It will be noted that in both forms of the invention the bit positioningand holding struc- "ture may be turned end for end with respect to ingsymmetrical in form so that the bit holding structure may be supportedin either position. Also in 'either form of v:theinvention the cutterbit may have its walls longitudinally corrugated to obtain greatrigidity in a bit of relatively thin structure, and furtherthe ppingwalls ofthe cooperating clamping elements may be roughened orserrated'to provide a better grip onthe bitp-In-certain instances the V-slot ofthe bit may be filled with copper to further improve the heatdistribution ,of the bit; These. and other uses and advantages of theimproved cutter chain will be clearly'apparent to those skilled inthe'art. While there are in this application specifically described twoforms which the'inventionmay assurne in practice, it will be understoodthat these forms of the'same are shown for. purposes of :illustrationand that the'hinventi'on may be'further modified andembodi ed in variousother forms without -';departing"1from its spirit or the' scop'e of theappende'dclaims.

What I claim aslnew' anddes'ire to secure by Letters Patent is:' 9 1. .Acutter bit having a straight body of 'V- shaped cross section and havingat its opposite ends inwardly bent utting portions.

.2. A cutter ibit having a straight body and having itsopposite endsinwardly bent to "form oppositely inclined end cutting faces providingcutting points at the same side of the bit body. 3. A cutter bit havinga straight body of WV shaped cross section, andop'positely inclined endcuttingfaces providing cutting points at the same side-of the bit body,the bit body at the bit points being inwardly bent. r

4; In a cutter chain, a series of articulated bitblocks each bit blockhaving a longitudinal bore, the inner periphery of said bore. beingserrated, a bit positioning and supporting element having a toothedshank insertibl'e. in said bore,

1 and a bit, holding element cooperating with said positioningandsupporting element and engaging thebit for securing the ,bit incuttingposition on said positioning and supporting element, the toothedshanks being insertible in difierent positions in different bit'blockbores to obtain lacing ofthe bits. J.

5. In a cutter c'hain,'a series of articulated bit blocks each bit blockhaving alongitudinal bore, the inner periphery ofsaid bore beingserrated, a. bitpositioning andsupportingelement having a toothed shan kinsertible insaid bore, and a cooperating bit clamping element forsecuring said bit positioning and supporting element in said bore andengaging the bit for clamping the bit ,in cutting position on saidpositioning and supporting element, the toothed shanks being insertiblein different positions in different bit block bores to obtain lacing ofthe bits.

6. In a cutter chain, a bit block having a longitudinal bore, the innerperiphery of said bore being serrated, a bit positioning and supportingelement having a toothed shank insertible in. 'said bore, and acooperating bit clamping element for securing said. bit positioning andsupporting element in said bore, said toothed shank having an axial boreand said clamping element having a bolt-like portion projecting throughsaid jaxial bore.

- '7. In a cutter chain, a bit block having a longitudinal bore, theinner periphery of said bore being serrated, a bit positioning andsupporting element having a toothed shank insertible in said bore, and acooperating bit clamping element for securing said bit positioning andsupporting element in said bore, said toothed shank having an axial boreand said clamping element having a bolt-like portion projecting throughsaid axial bore, said bolt-like portion being threaded to receive atightening nut.

8. In a cutter chain, a bit block having longitudinally spaced lugs,said lugs having alined bores, the internal peripheries of said boresbeing serrated, a bit positioning and supporting element having atoothed shank insertible within the bore in the front lug, a bitclamping element, and an adjusting element cooperating withsaid'clamping element and having a portion projecting within the bore inthe rear lug.

9. In a cutter chain, a bit block having longitudinally spaced lugs,said lugs having alined bores, a double-ended reversible cutter bit, anda bit holding and positioning means supported within the lug bores andproviding an obliquely inclined socket for receiving the cutter bit forsupporting the bit in an inclined position with its active cutting endprojecting outwardly and forwardly from the bit block a substantialdistance in advance of its inactive cutting end, said bit holding andpositioning means adjustable relative to the bit block to move saidcutter bit into different angularly related cuttingpositions, an elementof said bit holding and positioning means having a locating portionengageable with riphery of the bore of the .front lug, said bitreversible end for end with respect to said holding and positioningmeans in any of aforesaid angularly related cutting positions.

10. In a cutter chain, a chain block having a bit lug, said lug having abore, a cutter bit holder including a support element having a bitreceiving socket and a tubular shank, said shank receivable in said lugbore, and a bit clamping element having a bolt-like body portionextending through said tubular shank and an integral forwardlyprojecting portion shaped to fit the forward surface of a cutter bit.

11. In a cutter bit and bit holder, a cutter bit having a body ofV-shaped cross section, a bit positioning and holding element having aV- shaped socket for receiving the bit body and a tubular shank, and abit clamping element for clamping the bit within said socket having aboltlike portion projecting through said tubular shank and an integralV-shaped projection adapted to fit within the bit body.

12. In a cutter chain, a bit block having a bore, a cutter bit holderfor holding a cutter bit in position on said block including a supportelement having a bit receiving socket and a tubular shank insertible insaid bit block bore, and a bit clamp- I gage a-cutte'r bit in saidsocket.

' i 13. In a cutter chain, a bit block having a bore, a cutter bitholder for holding a cutter-bit in position on saidblock includingasup'port element having a bitreceiving socket and a tubular shankinsertible in said bit block bore, and a'bit clamping element having abolt-like body portion extending through said tubular shank,'andanintegral forwardly projecting portion shaped toengage a cutter bitinsaid socket, said bolt-like portion having a threaded end'projectingthrough said tubular shank and a clamping nut threaded thereon. H

l4. In'a cutter bit and holder, a cutter bit having a body ofV'-shapedcross section,"a bit positioning and holding element having aV-shaped socket for receiving the bit body, and an integral tubularshank, a. bit clamping element for clamp ing the bit within said sockethaving a bolt-like portion projecting through said tubular shank, and anintegral V-shaped projection adapted to fit within the bit body, saidbolt-like portion having a threaded end projecting through said tubularshank and a clamping nut threaded thereon. 15. In a cutter chain, a bitblock having a lateral lug formed with a longitudinal bore, a bit holderhaving a tubular shank received in said lug bore, and a bit clamp havinga body portion projecting through said tubular shank.

16. In a cutter chain, a bit block having a lateral lug formed with alongitudinal bore, a bit holder having a tubular shank received in saidlug bore, a bit clamp having a body portion projecting through saidtubular shank, and means co-' operating with said clamp body portion andsaid lug for clamping said bit holder in the lug bore.

17. In a cutter chain, a series of articulated bit blocks each bit blockhaving a longitudinal bore,

the inner periphery of said bore formed with looking surfaces, and meansfor positioning and supporting the cutter bits in difierent positions ondifferent blocks including bit clamps for supporting the bitsindependently of bit engagement with the blocks, said clamps each havinga 'positioning and supporting element providedwith a shank insertible ina block bore and having locking surfaces engaging the block bore lockingsurfaces for locking the shanks against rotation in the bore, the shanksof said elements insertible in,

different positions in different bit block boresto obtain lacing of thebits on the chain. I I

18. In a cutter chain, a series of articulated bit blocks each bit blockhaving a longitudinal bore, the inner periphery of said bore formed withlooking surfaces, and means for positioning and supporting the cutterbits in different positions on different blocks including bit clamps forsupporting the bits independently of bit engagement with the blocks,said clamps each having a positioning and supporting element providedwith a.

shank insertible in a block bore and having looking surfaces engagingthe block bore locking surfaces for locking the shanks against rotationin the bore, the shanks of' said elements insertible in differentpositions in different bit block bores to obtain lacing of the bits onthe chain, said clamps also including a bit clamping element cooperatingwith said' positioning and supporting element for securing saidpositioning and sup-,- porting element in a block bore. p

19. A bit clamp comprising a clamping element having a bolt-like bodyportion and an integral forwa-rdly projecting portion V-shaped to fitthe forward surface of aficutter of V-shaped cross section, and acooperating clamp element having a tubular shank for receiving saidbolt-like body portion and having a V-shaped slot for receiving therearward surface of the cutter bit.

20. In a cutter bit holder, a support element having a bit receivingsocket of V-shape for receiving the V-shaped body of a cutter bit, and atubular shank, and a bit clamping element having 'a bolt-like bodyportion extending through said tubular shank and an integral forwardlyprojecting V-shaped portion shaped to engage the cutter bit in saidsocket.

21. In a cutter bit holder, a support element having a bit receivingsocket of V-shape for receiving the V-shaped body of a cutter bit, and atubular shank, and a bit clamping element having a bolt-like bodyportion extending through said tubular shank and an integral forwardlyprojecting portion 'V-shaped to engage the cutter-bit in said socket,said bolt-like body portion having a threaded end projecting throughsaid tubular shank and a clamping nut threaded thereon.

22.'In a cutter chain, a chain block having a bit lug, said lug having asocket, a bit positioning and holding element having a tubular shankreceivable in said lug socket, and a bit clamp having a portionreceivable and movable axially in said tubular shank, and means for moving said clamp portion axially relative to said tubular shank to clamp acutter bit in cutting position on said bit positioning and holdingelement. 1

WARREN NOBLE.

